Agenda, decisions and minutes

Nominations for a Chairman of the Licensing Sub Committee were sought and it was

Resolved:

To elect Councillor Allison Bucknellas Chairman for this meeting only.

To receive any apologies for absence and to note any substitutions.

There were no apologies for substitutions.

The Chairman explained the procedure to be followed at the hearing, as contained within the “Wiltshire Licensing Committee Procedural Rules for the Hearing of Licensing Act 2003 Applications” (Pages 5 – 12 of the Agenda refers).

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

To consider and determine an Application for a Variation of a Premises Licence by Marstons Plc in respect of The Old Lane, Lodge Road, Chippenham.  The report of the Public Protection Officer (Licensing) is attached. 

Application by Marstons Plc in respect of a Variation of a Premises Licence at The Old Lane, Lodge Road, Pewsham, Chippenham

Roy Bahadoor (Public Protection Officer – Licensing) introduced the purpose and scope of the application, the premises to which it related and the key issues for consideration.  Mr Bahadoor highlighted the following:

·        This was an application for a variation to the Premises Licence which was granted on 24 November 2005 in respect of The Old Lane, Lodge Road, Pewsham, Chippenham;

·        The application sought to:

i)        Extend the hours for licensable activities for Friday and Saturday evenings to 01:00

ii)      Extend the opening hours of the premises to 01:30 in respect of Friday and Saturday evenings

iii)     Add to the Licence the licensable activities of dancing and recorded music to be undertaken to the same hours as the retail sale of alcohol – Sunday to Thursday 10:00 to 00:00 and Friday and Saturday 10:00 to 01:00

iv)     Remove the nonstandard timings which operate on Friday and Saturday of Bank Holiday weekends

v)      Extend hours under nonstandard timings for New Year’s Eve so as to permit the premises to operate from opening on 31 December to closure on 1 January

vi)     Delete and amend conditions to enhance the promotion of the licensing objectives

vii)   Update the plan of the premises to show the changes that have been made to the layout of the premises and to extend the licensing areas within it.

·        Two relevant representations were received from local residents in objection to the application.  Their representations were made over concerns about public nuisance.

In accordance with the procedure detailed in the agenda, the Applicant’s representative was given the opportunity to address the Sub Committee.  Michelle Hazlewood from John Gaunt & Partners Solicitors highlighted the following. 

·        No Responsible Authorities had raised any objections to the application;

·        The premises are situated on a large housing estate and there had been a number of different owners over a number of years.  There had been no investment made to update the premises in some time and Marstons had taken the decision to acquire a number of community premises and so bought The Old Lane in January 2019 and commenced major refurbishment works in March 2019;

·        The works were now completed, and the premises are looking lovely (photographs of the premises and menus had been circulated within Agenda Supplement 1);

·        This application sought to tidy up the licence that was originally granted in 2005 and make it fit for purpose in 2019 and in line with the other Premises Licences held by Marstons;

·        It was the intention to make The Old Lane a family venue and to continue to increase the food trade.  Previously food sales were around 9% and they had already increased to 25% and it was hoped that they would continue to increase further;

·        Marstons had been in communication with the Senior Environmental Health Officer following his concern regarding the potential impact of the variation application without offering any further measures and then  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.